Phil's World

Cortez has it going on!!! Went to Phil's world yesterday and I have to say that whoever is involved with building the trails has done the best work I have seen to date. Thank you!!! There has to be at least 20 miles of trail that rails. Wish I took some pictures but I was to busy riding the sweet terrain. Thanks again!

Just got back from a 2 week vacation split between Breckenridge and Durango, and tried Phil's for the first time. The whole family ( wife, 14 year old son, 9 year old daughter and myself ) managed 14 miles. and had a great time. What are those cool lizards that have the yellowish heads and the green/blue bodies out there? We had one checking us out as we were fixing a couple of flats and having a snack...Really fun trails that the family can enjoy together.

Anyone notice a trail reroute around the Abajo (I think) climb before the rib cage? Seemed extra sandy and a slightly different route then I remembered. Maybe it was just the sand that made it seem different.

Anyone notice a trail reroute around the Abajo (I think) climb before the rib cage? Seemed extra sandy and a slightly different route then I remembered. Maybe it was just the sand that made it seem different.

I'm not sure that's a re-route. If we're thinking about the same piece of trail, then it's the short cut connector from lower Rib Cage back to Abajo. They put it in so you can lap Rib Cage without poaching private property (which I think people were doing prior to the connector).

.....cheatin' life, and peelin' out on the lawn.........
-Sage Francis

Last time I was there Abajo was re-routed slightly just before you climb up on top of the cliff band...just before Cortez Lookout. Coco Race had a re-route just before you drop into the wash. I think all the work was done before 12 Hours of Mesa Verde.

I've never been there, does Phil's World get gooey when it's wet? We will be going through that area on the way to the San Juan river and are contemplating bringing bikes. It looks like the Monsoon is starting to really kick in.

It would be messy when wet. The good thing is that it takes a really good storm to get really wet in Cortez as it is lower elevation. Odds are it will be dry....as it doesn't rain often. I think. maybe. possibly....

hard-bake or peanut butter

Originally Posted by jryter

It would be messy when wet. The good thing is that it takes a really good storm to get really wet in Cortez as it is lower elevation. Odds are it will be dry....as it doesn't rain often. I think. maybe. possibly....

It's hardbake clay. If it gets wet enough to saturate that clay it's as bad as it gets. Think, bikes so clogged up with clay that they are too heavy to carry.

That said, it takes quite a bit of moisture to saturate the clay, as jryter says. Maybe even more than one rain; good long soaking. Since it's hard-bake the first splash of rain tends to run off. And that makes it tacky.

It's hardbake clay. If it gets wet enough to saturate that clay it's as bad as it gets. Think, bikes so clogged up with clay that they are too heavy to carry.

That said, it takes quite a bit of moisture to saturate the clay, as jryter says. Maybe even more than one rain; good long soaking. Since it's hard-bake the first splash of rain tends to run off. And that makes it tacky.

Got it, thanks. There's a hurricane remnant spinning in the Baja California area that's probably going to be pumping moisture into the four corners area for a few days is why I asked. We'll be looking for side canyon flash floods.

Got to experience Phil's World for one all too brief ride last summer enroute to nationals in ID. Leaving today for a week in Durango and we plan on hitting PW's probably Monday as early as we can get the cats herded up.